Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16
Compare Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 side by side: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) vs Apple A18, 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2815mAh vs 3561mAh battery, $999 vs…
Apple
iPhone 12 Pro
$999
2categories won
Apple
iPhone 16
$799
13categories won
6 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 16 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 16 proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. In camera testing, the iPhone 12 Pro leads with sharper imaging, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 16. Choose the iPhone 16 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 Pro if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
iPhone 16 takes battery honors offering 3,561 mAh alongside 25W charging.
iPhone 16 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A18 and 8GB RAM.
iPhone 12 Pro wins photography with 12MP main imaging and 2x dedicated optical zoom.
iPhone 16 wins on budget and value at $799 compared to $999.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 16: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.1" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1179 x 2556Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A18 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,120,000 | 1,650,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 4890 | 8150Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 8 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3Winner | 2 |
| Optical zoom | 2x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision 10-bit HDR | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAh | 3,561 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 25 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 189 g | 170 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Surgical-grade stainless steel frame, Ceramic Shield front, textured matte glass back | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, color-infused glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14 | iOS 18 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $999 | $799Winner |
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro introduced Apple ProRAW photography, a depth-sensing LiDAR scanner for rapid night autofocus, 6GB of system RAM, and a striking Pacific Blue stainless steel frame.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,815mAh
Apple iPhone 16
Upgraded with the high-efficiency A18 chip, 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, macro photography, and both physical Action and Camera Control buttons, the iPhone 16 brings significant pro features to the mainstream.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A18
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,561mAh